OW cert test...

[ga40456]

Well, I'm done with my pool and classrom work and onto my open water (in a quarry with a 6mil and hood!)
I was wondering if anyone could fill me in on how the test works? I tried to ask the instructor and he just told me that we'll demonstrate the skills we learned in the pool (which I didn't have problems with), but he wasn't anymore specific. I know we're doing three dives on Sat and one on Sunday- can any one offer some advice or thoughts?
Grace
P.S Thanks to all those who answered my swimming question- I had no issues with the swimming part!

 

[rongoodman]

It's not really a test, but as your instructor said, a demonstration of the same skills you've already mastered in a different setting.

 

[mobster75]

Well.. your instructor was right.. You have to demonstrate all the skills you learned in the pool in the open water over 4 dives. Usually the first dive is just to get used to open water diving and you'll just descend, swim around, then ascend. On each of the other dives a different number of the skills you've learned will be tested where you descend and probably your instructor will have you all line underwater along a line and he/she will go down the line asking people w/ pre-determined hand signals what skills they want to see, then you do the skill and wait until the next round of skill demonstration.

There's not really much to it.. The instructor will go over what skills are being covered on what dives beforehand and will review the hand signals they will use.

Don't overanalyze the situation, if you feel comfortable in the pool and did well with your skills there, then you should be fine. If you have any apprehension to any skills in the pool, it will only be magnified in the lake/ocean - so be sure you're comfortable.

Good luck!

 

[ChrisA]

Well, I'm done with my pool and classrom work and onto my open water (in a quarry with a 6mil and hood!)
I was wondering if anyone could fill me in on how the test works? I tried to ask the instructor and he just told me that we'll demonstrate the skills we learned in the pool (which I didn't have problems with), but he wasn't anymore specific. I know we're doing three dives on Sat and one on Sunday- can any one offer some advice or thoughts?
Grace
P.S Thanks to all those who answered my swimming question- I had no issues with the swimming part!

First of all it is NOT a "test" it is a continuation of training. Or to say it another way, everything you have done is a "test" because you would not have been allowed to continue untill you passed. That first dunk in the shallow end of the pool was a "test" to see if you were ready for the deep end. If just contines.....

There are no new skills. You will simply do what you did in the pool in the larger body of water. OK there are some new things, like swimming a greater distance underwater and some basic compass following. But they don't teach anything new.

A quarry is fresh water and there is no surf or big ocean swell and no change of being lost miles from shore so it really will be like the pool, just deeper and bigger and colder.

If your instructor thought you might have trouble you would not be going.

 

[Tatakai]

I done my check off dive in a quarry and had a great time. I know that it is a big difference from Ocean salt water but hey it is fun. My first dive was simply the two reg clearing exercises, the two mask skills. Second dive was full flood of mask and replacing it. Getting the reg from over the shoulder by following it down the hose. buddy breath from other persons spare octo, out of air and share. My next two dives will have the rest.

 

[K9trnr]

You'll demonstrate the skills you showed in confined water in the same manner as you did in the pool. The only reason he wasn't more specific is because it's not a test per say, and instructors often forget it may be pretty stressful for the student as it's usually the most fun for students. It's meant to give you experience in a different environment and let you show, one more time, that you can clear your mask, recover your regulator, etc. It'll let you discover what quarry diving is like and is a time to have some fun. Relax and enjoy!